Meeting State Standards

In addition to the educational component that a degree program helps you fulfill, all states have additional requirements that must be met in order to become a licensed professional. You should already know what these are, based on the licensure research you completed before or shortly after enrolling.

Review, review, review. State laws, regulations and rules can and do change. It is important to review professional licensing requirements at least a couple of times each year. If you discover that something has changed, contact your Academic Advisor right away.

Have a plan. Work with your Academic Advisor to align your degree completion plan with the state licensing requirements. Some states have unique coursework requirements. Be sure you know where and when you will be taking these courses. Some may have to be completed outside of Capella, during or after your program.

Remember ultimately you are responsible for ensuring that your degree can fulfill your state licensing requirements. Take ownership and get to work on meeting those requirements right away!

Miscellaneous Requirements

Fitness to Practice. Do you have anything in your personal or professional background that could be an issue? Just like everything else, rules vary depending on the state. Some examples of barriers to licensure include medical conditions that limits the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety, chemical substance use within the past 2 years, past or current diagnosis of a sexual disorder, conviction of a crime, or named in a civil lawsuit.

Exam. For all professional licenses, most states require a specific examination. Some licenses will require a national exam others will require a state-specific exam. Again, be sure to know what your state requires. For national exams, most can be taken at testing centers throughout the U.S. Registration is typically done online. Generally the exam is taken after you graduate from a degree program.

Temporary License. For some mental health licenses, states have an initial, temporary, or associate license that must be earned before a full professional license is granted. The educational requirements for this license generally mirror the requirements for the full professional license. This license is typically needed in order to gain the post-graduate field experience required for full-licensure. Your state's board website will outline the process for applying and probably include the required application materials. Generally you must complete your degree program before you can apply for this temporary license.

Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure and salary benefits. It is learners' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for their state.